A new Infinity REF-607F speaker install project; 2019 WRX

[GoFrogs]

Car is a 2019 WRX base w/the 6.5" Starlink 6-speaker infotainment.

Figure 1 - The Gear



Well, here I am w/another project. You'd think I'd wait until one project was complete before starting a second, or third, or fourth...but nope, that's not my style. [other projects: (1) mirrors turns, (2) CCV front hose on dual catch can set-up, (3) windshield banner, (4) footwell lighting]

Crutchfield had a sale on the Infinity REF-607F (6.5" coaxial) speakers and I bought 2 sets. Not sure why I bought two sets because I only listen to the fronts (see Fig 2 below). They included the F&R adapter rings and speaker adapter harnesses for FREE. It was more or less a "why not?" purchase.

In addition to the speakers, I also sourced some NVX silicone baffles and a Sound Skin speaker ring kit V3. The NVX baffles and the Second Skin kit do overlap in function and parts as both come w/waffle foam back pads; 2 and 4 respectively. The NVX baffles were chosen to protect the rear of the speaker from possible water drips. [Update: ordered a 2nd set of NVX baffles, so now I have 4 total; not sure if I'm going to use the Soundskin foam rings.]

After 5 years w/the base 6.5" Starlink, I thought it was time for a change. I chose the Infinity REF-607F because I'm a fan of silk dome tweeters, the 3dB attenuation on the swiveling tweeter, and I'm curious on the whole 3-ohm load spec. I figure w/the low power output of the factory HU, a more efficient speaker is a good thing. Hopefully the telematics lady doesn't get mad. Who knows, it could all go horribly wrong. BTW, I am not changing the dash speakers.

My stock speakers can get boomy, hence the Bass set to -8. Anything higher, even -3 gets muddy quickly. I listen to SXM channels 52/53 (EDM) and I think they might be bass boosted or gained in some way. My speed volume is set to "LOW" . My volume ranges from 12-18 in my daily commute depending on the song. The REF-607F are only rated down to 53 Hz.

• 6-1/2" 2-way speakers (pair)
• Plus One+ polypropylene woofer cone w/hi-roll rubber surround
• 1" textile, edge-driven dome tweeter w/3.0 dB level adjustment
• True Four Ohm Impedance technology: 3-ohm impedance combined w/speaker wire impedance for a 4-ohm load compatible w/virtually all factory or aftermarket car stereos
• handles up to 60 watts RMS (180 watts peak power)
• frequency response: 53-21,000 Hz

While I am in the doors, I will also apply some sound deadener treatment. I will not cover the entire door w/the deadener and will focus on the area around the speaker and the large access holes. I may even apply some squares to the door panel itself, but nothing too crazy.

When it is all said and done, the new gear will have a definite advantage over the stock equipment. If for some reason I don't like the Infinity REF-607F, I will still have the stock speakers and they'll also benefit from the sound deadener treatment and waffle back pads should they go back in.

I have no plans to add an amp. I have no plans to add a sub. If I do find myself wanting to add a sub, it will be something all-in-one; exactly what, is unknown at this time.

I will update this thread as I progress through my project. Time is my worst enemy. I am not a college student, so I don't have endless free time or bottomless pockets. I do not live on social media, so I don't have an audience to play to; so there is no real rush; however, I now have winter to deal with and a garage that can get chilly.

Yes, I could have chosen different speakers such as the Kicker 43DSC6504 or 46CSC654 (both go down to 40 Hz); MB Quart DK2, Focal ACX 165, or many others, but again, I didn't feel the need to go hog-wild on speakers as I'm not building a high-end, high-powered SQ system.

More to come.


Figure 2 - EQ and Balance/Fade settings


Figure 3 - Speed Volume settings

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[GoFrogs]

I haven't forgotten about this project, trust me. Working nights doesn't give one a ton of time during the day to get long and involved projects completed. And speaking of projects, I'm adding one more (dash cams) to the list for both cars. So, "yay me". Winter is not the best time to go popping plastic panels or adhering sound deadener; but I've never been known to do things when they make the most sense.

Plus, a 35* - 40*F garage (and a floor that feels colder) is not a fun place to be for extended periods of time. Ohio sucks. I have an oil change coming up in January and that one will be "fun" crawling around on an ice cube-like garage floor.

Again, haven't forgotten, just need a stretch of uninterrupted time (because I don't have 3-4 friends to do the work while I record for my YT channel).

[GoFrogs]

This project is still on hold. My garage is 25*F this week (thanks Canada) and is currently acting as a secondary freezer/refrigerator. Needless to say, I'm not going to pop door panels and risk breaking plastic clips while losing the feeling in my fingers. Maybe I will get to start it sometime around March.

[GoFrogs]

[good news: the weather has improved, my garage is warmer, and I had time to begin this project.

bad news: it's all going horribly wrong; at least for now. Let me explain...


I decided to start on the rear doors because they should be easier, right? Also, when I do the fronts, I'm going to be diving into the side mirrors too. Well, the rear doors are not a "one and done" with the route I chose.

Here are the rear brackets (provided free by Crutchfield with my order). These Metra brackets are just "okay", and have some flaws.




First flaw: The (3) open slot mounting flanges. The open slot flanges need to be about 3mm longer to allow more screw head to actually touch the flange legs. Adapter brackets w/enclosed flanges are a much better option, in my opinion.

Second flaw: The bracket does not sit flush to the door (partially Subaru's fault too). Areas around the flange's outer edge are open due to the way the door is stamped, especially at the 9 o'clock position (see below).






Third flaw: The pre-drilled adapter speaker holes make the angled tweeter on the 607F either point back towards the rear seat; or forward to the back of the front seats; and technically, not straight across to the other side.








The OE speaker (and I assume the Kicker Speaker upgrade), seal against the flat flange around the speaker hole as evident by the foam ring on the OE speaker.




Side by side of the OE and Infinity speaker. I tried to put the large ring on the say plane to show the actual mounting depth difference btwn the two. If you notice, I had to use an adapter ring to bring the OE speaker up to the Infinity that was using the silicone NXT speaker baffle.




For now, the OE speaker is back in the door. I will need to approach this install differently than originally planned. I may use some sound deadener to build up the low areas around the low areas on the Metra adapter rings plus add some foam weather stripping to help make a better air seal.

I can see why people cut the OE speakers and use the carcass as an adapter ring. Also, none of the speaker install videos touch on the uneven door panel where the speaker adapter sits. Boost & Shutter YT channel lightly touched on it, but very lightly.

More to follow...